WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions, recorded in the Book of Concord, have authority and precedent over the Constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and,

WHEREAS,  Article Seven of the Augsburg Confession states that “For the true unity of the church it is enough to agree concerning the teaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments. It is not necessary that human traditions, or rites and ceremonies, instituted by men (and women), should be alike everywhere.” And,

WHEREAS,  Adoption of an historic episcopate is a ceremonial appeal to human tradition, and is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian Church; and,

WHEREAS,  The Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article X states that, “We believe teach, and confess that the community of God in every locality in every age has authority to change such ceremonies according to circumstances, as it may be most profitable and edifying to the community of God.” And,

WHEREAS,  The Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA and the local congregations that make up this synod have the confessional authority to shape the installation ceremony of its bishop “as it may be most profitable and edifying” for unity in their particular locality; and,

WHEREAS,  the mandated changes to the Constitution of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod brought about by the passage of Called to Common Mission violate the confessional freedoms protected by Article VII of the Augsburg Confession, and Article X of the Formula of Concord; therefore be it,

RESOLVED,  That the NW MN Synod has the confessional freedom to determine whether or not our duly elected bishop may or may not be installed into an historic episcopate; and to this end be further,

RESOLVED,  That a vote determining whether or not a bishop will be installed into the historic episcopate is to be taken at the synod assembly prior to the election. A simple majority will determine the manner in which an elected pastor is installed into the office of bishop.

Mark R. Olson
Grace Lutheran Church
Detroit Lakes, MN